Overview
Global Arbitration Review (GAR) covered Steptoe's judgment enforcement success in an article titled "Tanzania Pays Treaty Award to Avoid Aircraft Seizure." Tanzania paid $22 million to satisfy an UNCITRAL arbitration award issued under the Italy-Tanzania bilateral investment treaty after the Italian-owned creditors attempted to seize three aircraft purchased by the East African state following enforcement of the award in the Canadian courts. In an order dated April 22, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice lifted a freezing order obtained by British Virgin Islands-registered Sunlodges and its subsidiary against a de Havilland aircraft, stating Tanzania had paid the award in full. The payment also successfully concluded Sunlodges’ attempts in a Quebec court to seize two Airbus aircraft that Tanzania had purchased.
Steptoe London partner Matthew Coleman and associate Tom Innes represent Sunlodges Ltd and Sunlodges (T) Limited in this case in regard to the arbitration and the enforcement proceedings.
The full article can be read at GAR (subscription required).